4Play

Jan. 18, 2006

Various Artists - *Now, Vol. 20* - UTV Records
Just in time to freshen up your CD player for the new year, UTV Records offers up the latest in their long succession of compilation CDs.  This particular edition combines some of 2005‘s biggest hits (Black Eyed Peas‘ “Dont Phunk With My Heart,“ Weezer‘s “Beverly Hills,“ Kelly Clarkson‘s “Behind These Hazel Eyes“) with a few throwaways (as is expected in every *Now* volume) and a few tracks with that eerie *Now* hitmaker foresight - namely The Click Five‘s “Just the Girl,“ Natasha Bedingfield‘s “These Words“ (a hit overseas, perhaps, but just now catching on in the U.S.), Franz Ferdinand‘s “Do You Want To,“ and Fall Out Boy‘s “Sugar, We‘re Goin‘ Down.“  It‘s a cool set that‘ll please most pop music lovers, and will round out the collection for anyone who likes to snag each of the *Now* albums as they come out.
 
Cyndi Lauper - *The Body Acoustic* - Sony Music
Best remembered for her musical work in the ‘80s (what girl hasn‘t sung “Girls Just Want To Have Fun“ at some point in her life?), memories of Lauper mostly consist of her peppy pop videos and wacky clothing, overlooking the fact that the girl herself has a pretty incredible voice, with a wide range and one of the prettiest tones in the biz.  But one listen to this disc will nicely showcase those very facts.  From the aforementioned “Girls...,“ which she updates on this collection by collaborating with Puffi Ami Yumi, to a sweet version of “Time After Time“ done with Sarah McLachlan, to “All Through The Night“ featuring Shaggy, and on to such other famed Lauper tracks as “Shine,“ “True Colors,“ and “Money Changes Everything,“ this songstress proves timeless, and this collection proves to be a must-have.
 

Sun Kil Moon - *Tiny Cities* - Caldo Verde Records
Although Mark Kozelek spent far more time singing for Red House Painters (and for his own trio of solo records), Sun Kil Moon is the project that‘s garnering him the most attention, and it‘s no wonder, when you listen to what they can do.  But Kozelek is also a man of influences, and one of those influences is fellow band Modest Mouse, whose unusual songwriting and machine-gun vocal patter gave him the inspiration to cover Modest Mouse songs on a full album.  Risky?  Yep.  But it works - Mark‘s reinterpretations of Modest Mouse songs (including “Dramamine,“ “Tiny Cities Made of Ashes,“ and “Ocean Breathes Salty“) are pensive, droning, folky, and sometimes even more powerful than the original compositions.  It‘s more art-rock experimentation than laziness, that‘s for sure - and it‘s fun listening to what someone as crafty as Kozelek hears in someone else‘s songs.
 
Imogen Heap - *Speak For Yourself* - RCA Records
This is Frou Frou vocalist Heap‘s second solo effort (her first in the U.S.) and she‘s definitely made it sonically diverse enough to catch the ears of hipsters from coast to coast.  Running throughout with driving bass, poppy and evocative synth lines, solid piano work, and plenty of electronica atmosphere whether the beats are soft or energetic, this set glides from one song to the next, taking your ears right along.  Heap‘s rich voice lays the foundation for every single track here, from the rockin‘ “Daylight Robbery“ to the unique “Speak For Yourself“ to the tinkling “Headlock,“ all pop winners for those who like their pop a little less accessible, meaning a little more thoughtful and a lot smarter. Was it worth it for her to mortgage her London flat in order to pay for this CD to be made? The answer is a resounding yes.